Can't Miss: If passing by in mid-March, catch their wild festival called Las Falles.

To Avoid: Sidewalks tend to be narrow, step carefully.

Tipping: Round up to the nearest Euro, if you're feeling generous that day.

Valencia refers to a city and a region, both worthy of the name's Latin origin meaning “valor” or “strength.” The city of Valencia is the third largest in Spain, situated just south of the independent-spirited Catalonia and east of the ultra-Spanish birth region of Don Quixote, Castilla de la Mancha. Valencia falls somewhere between the two culturally, content with Spain’s dominance, yet still maintaining their own regional dialect of Valenciano.

While the city of Valencia is cosmopolitan, the entire region boasts some of the best beaches in the country, with Costa del Azahar (Orange Blossom Coast) and Costa Blanca (White Coast) to the south.

Each year, five million tourists pass through Valencia to get a more intimate look at Spain’s beach culture, less populated than Barcelona and more low-key that bass-thumping Ibiza. Established resorts and a large community of British expats are indications of Valencia’s growth, but provincial charm remains intact. Valencia, in turn, has everything from small bars to bumping discos, family-owned restaurants to Michelin-starred kitchens, and city life next to small, unchanged towns where English is nonexistent.

Valencia also boasts a regional identity. While not as rebellious as its northern neighbor Cataluña, Valencianos are eager to share their contributions to Spanish society, such as their culinary cornerstone, paella.

There's historical lore as well: A first-century stone artifact stored at Saint Mary’s cathedral in Valencia is thought to be the very cup Jesus Christ used at the last supper: the Holy Grail.

With major expansion underway, Valencia is a promising city of growth. For the past five years, Valencia's economic growth rate has surpassed that of Madrid and Barcelona. Emerging industries like construction and tourism have secured this jump for Valencia, proving that the once sleepy province has hearty potential. Translation: Opportunity is abundant for anyone lucky enough to live in the area.

But enough business; Valencia's orange-scented air is a backdrop for all kinds of activity, from sleepy beaches to late-night parties in open plazas during summer months. Somewhere in between Barcelona and Madrid, Valencianos are less snooty about their regional identity than Catalonians, but will still hit you with the uniqueness of their language, history and gastronomy. Furthermore, although many locals will speak Valenciano, Spanish is still the dominant form of communication for those looking for a mainstream linguistic immersion.